TWO HISTORIC HOMES FOR SALE IN WORCESTER

Two of Worcester’s most distinctive homes have come onto the market exclusively through Pam Golding Properties.One dates back to the 1820’s, while the other was built approximately 100 years later.Both are renowned in the Breede Valley town for their unique character and historic value.

“Veldwyk”

The home known as “Veldwyk” is located in Worcester’s sought-after suburb of Paglande, one of the town’s prime residential areas, renowned for its large trees and quiet roads.Completed in 1920, the home was built by the town engineer, a Mr Claassens, for use as his own private residence.Situated immediately opposite the Worcester East primary school, it lies within walking distance of the town centre, the private Medi-Clinic hospital, and a number of churches and other community facilities.The property occupies close to 1400sqm and is on the market at R2.75 million.

PGP’s area manager for Worcester, Surina du Toit, says the double-storey house is filled with character, and bears a number of original features such as gleaming wooden floors and window-frames, and cast-iron pelmets in the living room.“Some of the other outstanding features are the large front door, made of Burmese teak, as well as the leaded glass in the teak front windows,” she says. “The spacious dining room has solid Oregon pine floors, while the shady front stoep (veranda) is finished in cool black slate.The home has been carefully designed for maximum shelter from the prevailing winds, and has ample indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces, including an indoor braai area.And although it dates back nearly a century, it has been updated for modern living, and now offers under-floor heating, air-conditioning and security features such as an alarm system, burglar bars and intercom.This home has been extremely well maintained, and has been fully refurbished over the past 12 years.”

The home’s upper level offer four bedrooms, two of them en suite, all with Oregon pine flooring.An additional guest suite is located on the ground floor with its own full bathroom.The living rooms include a lounge with original fireplace, an office/library/ art studio with built-in bookshelves and fireplace, and two kitchens – one a small room with oak and terracotta finishes, the other a large kitchen finished in solid American maple wood.

The house is well set back from the street, in a large garden with a sparkling 8x5m swimming pool and a number of large trees, including two nut-bearing Pecan trees and a giant oak. There is also a solid wood jungle gym and swing for children to enjoy.

PGP’s MD for the Boland and Overberg regions, Annien Borg, says its location in this sought-after family neighbourhood, close to good schools, and is sizeable garden and ample bedrooms, make this the ideal home for a large family, or for those who enjoy the olde worlde charm of an historic home.

“At Last”

The second, much older historic property which is currently for sale through PGP is located on Church Street in the very heart of Worcester.The home stands on a portion of what was once one of the town’s very first farms.Its homestead is thought to have been built around the 1820’s, and is believed to have been used as both a hospital and a school at various points in its history.It still bears original features such as gleaming wooden floors and a solid Oregon pine kitchen, as well as a Dalton tiled fireplace in excellent condition.The home was at one stage named “At Last”, and is a protected building, with its original facade intact.

A second wing was added to the original home at some stage, creating a U-shaped design with a total of eight bedrooms.Four of these are located in the original wing, while the rest are contained within three separate flatlets or guest suites in the newer wing - one with two bedrooms and two with one bedroom.These units all have their own separate access from outside the building, but can be connected to the main home by unlocking inter-leading doors.“This means that the home has huge potential for conversion into a B&B or guest house,” says Du Toit, “subject to planning approval.It could also be converted into a character-filled office suite, for which its central location in the town makes it ideally suited.”

The home has large living areas and entertainment spaces, an undercover braai area, double garage, swimming pool and Jacuzzi.The property occupies close to 980sqm, and is on the market at R2.78 million.